On Monday, May 9, 2011, the Pittsburgh Pirates defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers by a score of 4-1, giving the Bucs an overall record of 18-17. The win marked only the ninth time in the past 19 years that the Pirates have been above .500 after May. 

The Pirates have benefitted from their strong pitching, as well as an offense that gets up early on opponents. As of May 9, the Pirates led the National League in reliever ERA, and starting pitcher Kevin Correia led the National League with five wins. For a team which lacks a great deal of power and run production, efficient pitching is the key for sustained success for the Pirates.

While it may be early in the season, the Pirates’ success is definitely exciting. The team is mostly composed of young, skilled players from the farm system, and it is evident that there is a lot of potential. Pirates fans have become accustomed to cheaply put together teams of washed up veterans and prospects who never really seem to pan out. This group has a different vibe to it. If they can keep their strong nucleus of players together and make meaningful transactions, there is certainly potential for the Pirates to become a factor in the NL Central.